Re: M Body Construction

[Dan Cardish <dcardish@microtec.net>]

Are you all using these cameras to adorn display cases, or do you take
pictures with them?

At 08:38 AM 07-06-97 -0400, you wrote:
>Stephen wrote:
>
>
><Compare a Mint- or better chrome M3/M2/M4 side by side to the chrome M6
><in the same condition.  The finishes definitely appear different. 
><Whether one is superior to the other, I suppose depends upon your point
><of view and what you like.
>
>Yes it is diputable.
>
><The older chrome finish has a brighter sheen and deeper luster to it.
><have no way to measure the exact thickness of the chrome, but the chrome
><finish on the older cameras also seems to be thicker in practice.  When
><you scratch an older body, there is chrome underneath.  When you scratch
><a black chrome M6, its not too far until you get brass. 
>
>*It is not brass but Zinc alloy in the M6 black and chrome.
>And you beter compare chrome with chrome and black with black.
>
>*But it is right that the black chrome M6 is more delicate than a silver
>chrome M6.
>And the black chrome M4 (1974/75) was even much more delicate.
>
>
><And of course, the engraved top on the M2/M3/M4 adds to the feeling of
><quality that cannot be found on the later cameras (except the very
><expensive M6J).
>
>*There is not so many engraving on a present M6.
>
><Interestingly, the chrome finish of the ultra expensive M6J seems to be
><to a higher standard similar to the older cameras, judging from the
><pictures I have seen. I do not own a M6J. Any M6J owners care to
><comment?
>
>*The M6J is chrome on brass instead of silver chrome or black chrome on
>Zinc (M6)
>
><Some time ago,  I made the comment that I thought all M6's should be
><like the M6J, rather than having to pay extra for the added quality.
>
><From an aesthetic point of view, their is no comparison in my eyes to a
><nice black enamel M Vs the black chrome M6.  The black chrome is
><functional and lowers production costs, but he beauty of the black
><finish is gone.
>
>*True, but the black paint was so delicate specially on the first M3/M2.
>But a brassy black paint M3/M2/M4 is still beautiful and expensive,
>when a worn black chrome M4/M4-2/M4-P/M6 is ugly and cheap.
>That is not the case of a used silver chrome M6.
>
><Of course my comments are very subjective.  I make no claim about
><"truth," but I know from experience that a lot of experienced Leica
><collectors and users share these viewpoints.
>
>*Subjectively yours,
>
>Lucien,
>BELGIUM
>
>
>